2008 Buick Enclave: transmission slipping

Filed Nov 9, 2018 · Transmission · 158,000 miles · OK

Transmission had an overheat indication on a trip. Had the trans fluid replaced, car worked fine for another 1k miles. Car would then not shift properly, nor could it be shifted manually, took it in. Tech found a wiring connector with bad continuity, fixed that. Car good for two months. Trans began slipping badly and would only go into three gears, could not drive over 30 MPH on the freeway after a 65 MPH cruise. Transmission required complete replacement at 158k miles. Cost $4,285.00. Come to find out this known defect has happened to thousands of enclave/acadia/saturn suvs since 2008. Some with as little as 20k miles, others up to 200k miles. Of course, nothing has been done about this. This is a safety and drivability issue that needs to be recalled and the owners compensated for their repair costs. Insane!

Filed May 29, 2018 · Transmission · 116,000 miles · NE

Transmission failed while in motion at 116,000 miles. Began shuddering / slipping while driving uphill. Eventually jammed in 2nd gear and will not shift, with check engine light (code p0700). Gm will not replace it because it is 6 months past the "extended coverage" of their service bulletin. (10 years / 120,000 miles) . I am now having to pay $3,800 to have certified transmission replace the transmission.

Filed Jul 22, 2016 · Transmission · 93,600 miles · NJ

The buick dealer is saying the timing chain(s) is slipping and needs replacement and that the heads and or cams may also require replacement. The vehicle went into the shop because the 2nd and 5th gear was not engaging properly, there is hesitation in the transmission/engine. The vehicle has 94,710 miles. The powertrain warranty is 5 years or 100,000 miles. Gm issued an extended warranties of 10 years and 120,000 miles for both transmission clutch wave plate (3/5/r) and for timing chain slippage. So they acknowledge they have these problems with the material used and or engines. My concern is that for the timing chain extended warranty gm skipped the buick enclave 2008 year model and cover only the 2007 & 2009 year models and they do not want to extend the coverage to cover my timing chain replacement. This is not a normal routine service item per their buick enclave user manual. Timing chain should be covered under the powertrain warranty. I should not have to pay for replacing the timing chain on a vehicle with under 100,000 miles because gm used poorly manufactured chains. Usually metal timing chains last well beyond 100,000 miles. I've never replaced a chain on any of my vehicles past or present. This is a known defect with the gm timing chains which should be covered. If the timing chains breaks it will cause tremendous damage and may cause me to get into a catastrophic accident. The diagnostic codes provided by the dealer are as follows: p0011 intake cmp b1 p0391 exhaust cmp b2 p0366 exhaust cmp b1 chains noisy diag doc 08-06-01-011k repair cost range: $2,577 + tax to $5,231 +tax depending on whether heads and or cams require replacement.

Filed Feb 28, 2015 · Transmission · 73,000 miles · NY

Transmission slippage. Expect wave plate or similar issue. Fortunately will be able to drive in for service. Contacted buick to see if they will assist with repairs as this seems to be a common issue.

Filed Nov 5, 2014 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · CA

Car was not accelerating properly at low speeds and the transmission seemed to be slipping when depressing the accelerator to accelerate at highway speeds. We took it to the dealer and they mentioned that 3-5-r clutch had failed. The car only has about 85000 miles. We feel this is a safety issue based on research that indicates there is an unusually high number of failures of this part, which can cause sudden decelerations, not enough power to accelerate, or failure of the transmission to engage when in "park" causing cars to roll. (our car had issues with acceleration.) we feel lucky we did not have a major incident. Gm has not acknowledged they have a wider problem and so far has refused to cover the total cost of repair.

Filed Jul 14, 2014 · Transmission · 77,300 miles · IN

Was driving on interstate at 70 MPH and as car was trying to climb a hill and transmission shifting gears, it slipped. Happened a few times while on interstate. Got to location and then went to leave again and backing up car was hesitating. Pull forward then needed to go in reverse and car hesitated like someone pressing on and off gas. Arrived back at home and took the vehicle in to transmission place (had already researched through weekend on problem and saw alot of problems with 2008 buick enclaves with wave plate (snap ring) going out on transmission. Just received call and my buick is another one that has joined the rank of all those who have had this same problem. Should not have to have transmission rebuilt/replaced at this stage of vehicle life. I am one year out of my warranty, but under the mileage, however, that doesn't matter! Gm needs to do a recall on these transmissions! There is definitely a problem and in light of all the recent news on gm problems, I think we have found another problem that should have been recalled and wasn't.

Filed May 21, 2014 · Transmission · 93,980 miles · FL

About 3 weeks prior I noticed very subtle clunk when changing gears. Than out of no were the car started slipping gears at around 40mph. The engine would rev high RPM but it wouldn't kick into 5th gear. Only did the it once. Within 1 day it slipped every time 5th gear was engaging, within 2 day of that 3rd gear was slipping every time. Brought it to aamco and was informed of a r/3/5 wave plate clutch disc tsb with this model transmission. Transmission needs a rebuilt to the tune of $2000-2500. Pathetic that a $45k vehicle cant even make to 100k miles. Who says china makes all the crap? Gm must employee the chinese.